Tips for Balancing School and Work

The Pressures of School and Work

Work schedules. Term papers. Exams. Projects. Quarterly reports. Whether you’re taking your very first college class or you’re going back to school after a hiatus, you may very well be juggling school and work. To keep your head above water in both areas, it’s important to find a balance and schedule that works for you. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Set a Schedule

If possible, it helps to establish a set work schedule that doesn’t vary week to week. If you know that you work every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, you can schedule other events, like study groups and study time, accordingly.

Plan Ahead

One of the best things about school is that each class has a syllabus, which will tell you exactly what’s coming at you for the next six weeks of your life. (At least as far as school is concerned.) If you know you have an important exam on a Wednesday in three weeks, you can request Tuesday night off well in advance, or make sure you’ve hired a babysitter to watch the kids so you can study.

Use Work to Build Your Resume

Ultimately, the reason most of us go to college is to prepare for a job. Working during school will not only give you the experience you need on your resume, but it will also show future (or current) employers that you’re able and willing to multi-task, advance your training, and dedicate yourself to the task at hand.

If your school offers online courses, they can be a huge asset in juggling a full- or part-time job. Online classes and coursework can be done on your own timeframe, so if your job is 9 to 5 and prevents you from attending on-campus classes, you can get your work done before or afterwards (whichever you prefer).

Schedule Free Time

It’s also important to consistently schedule free time for yourself. You need to have a little time to relax, unwind, and recharge your batteries to avoid burnout. Even if it’s just watching your favorite reality show for a half hour each week, make time for the little things you enjoy.